PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Chad Mendes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Motor Martino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Mendes
vs
Martino

175 cm
25
146 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

150 cm
26
151 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Chad Mendes!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Motor Martino!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Martino tries to clinch up.
Martino fails with a takedown attempt.
Mendes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mendes wants it to stay on the feet.

Mendes moves into the clinch successfully.
Martino has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Martino changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mendes fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Chad Mendes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Motor Martino.
Martino tries for a takedown but Mendes circles away easily

and Mendes counters with a shoot takedown. Martino fights it but they end up in guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Martino keeping moving, preventing Mendes from controlling successfully.

Mendes decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Martino, up you get!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Martino tries to bum rush Mendes with a series of wild strikes but Mendes uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mendes moves out of range as Martino throws a body kick.

Mendes gets a takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mendes is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Martino has managed to free his arm - good work.
Martino wants to improve his position but Mendes is controlling well.

Mendes is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Martino is just riding it out for now. Mendes eventually gives up the hold.
Martino makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Martino.
Martino not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Martino managing to control the position.
Mendes trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Martino should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Martino is trying to control the position but Mendes postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Motor Martino.

Mendes looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Martino looking for submissions off his back.
Mendes throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martino is looking to improve his position.
Martino is trying to stand back up but Mendes is controlling him

Mendes is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Martino still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Martino has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Mendes is looking for a sweep.
Mendes is trying to control Martino's posture but Martino avoids it.
Mendes is not content to let Martino control the position.
Mendes sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Martino is going to stand back up.
Martino performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Martino is keen to just control but Mendes is a slippery customer.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Martino prevents Mendes from improving his position.

Mendes looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mendes landing a few short strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chad Mendes dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Martino fails in his attempt to clinch.

Mendes tries to sprawl but Martino drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Mendes trying to control here.
Mendes makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mendes.
Martino advances to half guard.
Mendes is trying to maintain the position but Martino is very close to passing his half guard.

Martino decides to return to a standing position.
Mendes tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Martino manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Martino tries to clinch there but Mendes circles away.
Martino misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Mendes as Martino shoots in.

Mendes closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Martino did well to prevent Mendes getting side control.
Martino is trying to stand up here but Mendes is controlling him well.
Martino is staying active underneath Mendes, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Martino is defending against the submission attempts here by Mendes.
Martino gets back to full guard.
Mendes slips nicely into half guard.
Martino is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Chad Mendes overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes trying to control from half guard but Martino is working away.
Mendes will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Mendes stands up out of the half guard.

Mendes shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Martino's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mendes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Martino is keeping the position for now.

Martino looking for a guillotine here but Mendes defends easily.
Martino wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Martino lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Mendes!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martino avoids the attempt from Mendes to control.
Mendes is desperately trying to improve his position but Martino has a good base and remains in mount.
Martino content just to control the position here.
Martino fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Mendes takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Mendes regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mendes looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Mendes wants to get back to his feet.

Martino is trying to work for a kimura but Mendes is defending well.

Martino seems to be working for a kimura but Mendes defends the submission attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Mendes is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Martino pulls his head out easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Martino is thwarting Mendes's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Motor Martino will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Martino closes the distance and clinches.

Mendes is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Martino can't fight it off and eventually Mendes manages to take the fight to the floor. Martino looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Martino manages to escape and get back to his feet.
A combination from Martino does no damage.
Martino wants to clinch.
Chad Mendes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Martino moves into the clinch successfully.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Martino fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mendes wants the takedown. Martino is fighting it off but Mendes persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Martino's guard against the cage.
Martino keeping full guard, as Mendes tries to pass.
Mendes won't allow Martino to get back to his feet.
Mendes lands a couple of elbows.
Martino is adopting a defensive guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mendes drops back, looking for a kneebar! Martino looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Martino looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Martino!
Mendes is trying to get back to half guard.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Martino has eaten all the pies!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Mendes's face as Martino controls the position.
Mendes is trying to work for a sweep but Martino has mounted him!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Mendes is wriggling around trying to escape.
Mendes in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Mendes working to try and regain half guard.
Martino tries to control but Mendes wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes tries to improve his position but instead Martino has taken his back!

Mendes preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Martino.
Martino punches Mendes on the ear.
Mendes trying to control the position but Martino manages to sink in the hooks.
I would not like to be Mendes right now.
Mendes is in bad spot here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martino tries to keep control of the position but Mendes is staying busy.
Martino is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Martino is looking for the choke from the back position but Mendes is controlling his hands well.
Martino lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Mendes.
Mendes just trying to survive but Martino is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Mendes manages to reverse the position and now he's in Martino's guard. Nice work there by Mendes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mendes preventing the sweep.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Martino controls Mendes momentarily but Mendes frees himself.
Mendes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Martino works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Motor Martino really dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Mendes looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Martino!
Martino tries to reverse the position but Mendes maintains control.
Martino avoids a series of strikes thrown by Mendes.
Poor strikes thrown by Mendes there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Mendes wants to control the pace but Martino is squirming around nicely.
Martino can't escape the position.
Mendes raining down hammerfists from mount.

Mendes swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Martino is now in Mendes's guard. A big mistake from Mendes there, giving up the dominant position!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Martino trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Martino's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Martino pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mendes is keeping the position for now.
Martino trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Mendes is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Motor Martino hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Martino waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mendes.
Martino tries to close the distance and clinch but Mendes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Motor Martino seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martino rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mendes moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Mendes closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mendes lands in his opponent's guard.
Martino has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Martino not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mendes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Martino works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Martino trying to keep a closed guard but Mendes is proving a slippery customer.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Martino wants to stand up but Mendes is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Motor Martino wasn't active enough on the ground.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Martino enables Mendes to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Martino manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Martino looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mendes is one step ahead there.

Martino has his foot on Mendes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mendes works his way back into a safe position though.
Martino is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Mendes not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Mendes is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Mendes drops back looking for a leg! Martino is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Martino manages to kick Mendes off! Mendes jumps back into Martino's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martino lands a good elbow from the bottom.
Mendes postures up.
Martino might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Mendes kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Martino manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mendes manages to get himself to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Mendes is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chad Mendes had his way with Motor Martino in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Some bone on bone action there as Mendes checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

Mendes looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Martino is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mendes defends well.
Mendes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Martino is keeping the position for now.
Mendes trying to control the position from guard on top but Martino is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mendes prevents Martino from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martino wants to sweep but no luck.
Martino throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Martino looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Mendes passes into half guard.
Mendes is keen to just control but Martino is a slippery customer.
Martino trying to control here.

Mendes seems to be looking for submissions.

Martino kicks Mendes off and gets back to his feet.

Mendes drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Martino pulls Mendes in close to his closed guard and prevents Mendes from doing any damage or advancing position.
Martino is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Martino is looking to stand up but Mendes isn't so interested in that idea.
Mendes throwing strikes from guard but Martino blocks nicely.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Mendes preventing the sweep.
Mendes trying to control the position from guard on top but Martino is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Chad Mendes.

Mendes scores a takedown into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes prevents Martino from getting the reversal.
Mendes won't let Martino get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Mendes tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Mendes throwing strikes here but Martino is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Mendes throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Martino because Mendes loaded up on that one.
Martino tries to hold on but Mendes postures up.
Mendes tries to control but Martino wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martino wants to hold on but Mendes pushes him away.
Martino is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Mendes is staying active.
Martino gets back to half guard.

Mendes is trying to work for a kimura but Martino is defending well.
Martino wants to get back to his feet.
Martino wants to control but Mendes is keeping busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Martino is not content to let Mendes control the position.

Mendes is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Martino defends it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chad Mendes showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mendes has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 49:47
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chad Mendes!
Chad Mendes retains his featherweight title!